SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 285
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brazoria County are gathering
in Austin to celebrate Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol
on March 3, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos
River was inhabited during the first three centuries of Texas'
recorded history by the nomadic Karankawa Indians; the Spanish
explorer Cabeza de Vaca passed through the region as early as
1528, and the pirate Jean Lafitte was rumored to have used the
mouth of the Brazos as a refuge; and
WHEREAS, The region was settled in the 1820s by members of
Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria
served as the first American-born governor of the Mexican
territory of Texas and as a leader of the movement for
independence, and the town of Columbia served as the capital of
Texas during the first Texas Congress; in 1836, Brazoria County
became one of the original counties established by the new
republic; and
WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the
mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and
sulfur deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow,
and chemical processing became increasingly important during
World War II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation
industry have helped to ensure continuing economic development; and
WHEREAS, Today, the 24 cities of Brazoria County boast
excellent schools and affordable housing; visitors and residents
alike take great pleasure in miles of sandy beaches, bay and
offshore fishing, scuba diving, outstanding bird-watching, and
the Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; the
county is also home to many antique shops and scenic parks, one of
the largest county fairs in Texas, and the Nolan Ryan Center; and
WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to
students at Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, and the
University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus further
contribute to the county's many amenities; and
WHEREAS, The largest chemical complex in North America,
the Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, and a flourishing health
care industry are among the major contributors to economic growth
in the county, and Port Freeport, ranked 24th in the United
States in foreign tonnage, is one of the fastest growing ports on
the Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, Even as they celebrate their rich heritage, the
hardworking citizens of Brazoria County are looking ahead to the
opportunities of the future and continuing to contribute greatly
to the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby recognize March 3, 2015, as Brazoria County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
best wishes for a memorable and meaningful stay in Austin.
Huffman, Taylor of Galveston
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 3, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate